Missile Hits Helipad Inside US Embassy Compound in Baghdad

A missile has struck a helipad inside the United States Embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraqi security officials confirmed on Saturday.

Two security officials disclosed the development, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Footage captured by the Associated Press showed a column of smoke rising above the embassy compound shortly after the strike.

The embassy complex in Baghdad is one of the largest United States diplomatic facilities in the world.

Images circulating online also showed smoke and dust billowing above the compound following the incident.

As of the time of filing this report, the United States Embassy in Baghdad had not issued an official statement regarding the attack.

The diplomatic facility has previously been targeted by rockets and drones launched by militias believed to be aligned with Iran.

On Friday, the US Embassy renewed its Level Four security alert for Iraq, warning American citizens of heightened security risks in the country.

The embassy stated that Iran and Iran-aligned militia groups had previously carried out attacks against United States citizens, infrastructure and interests.

The alert warned that the groups “may continue to target them.”

The development comes two days after four crew members were confirmed dead following the crash of a US military refuelling aircraft in western Iraq.

In a statement issued on Friday, the United States Central Command said the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker crashed at about 2pm Eastern Time on March 12 during operations in the region.